The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-14

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death. etc, of Old Joe. A good man,
years ago there was life Of Joe Cal
published, but think it will be impoS
sible to find one now. have found a:
old book entitled Daring Exploits an,
Perilous Adventures which has al
article on Joe Call, the Modern Her
cules. which gives some of his ex
plots. "
The following chapter is taken from
book published at New Haven. Conn.,,
by L. II. Young. about sixty years ago
and is entitled Joe Call. the Modern
Hercules" There are incidents in the
life of every Individual, however insig'
nificant his st&tion may be in society,
which. if fairly written out, would be
looked upon by the sneering wise-acres
Of this skeptical age as little better than
sheer fiction. But the true philosopher.
with a deeper vision, sees truth stamped
upon them, and only wonders at the
mysterious Providence who has thus
seen fit 20 weave the beautiful flowers
of romance in tie dark wool of ordinary
life. The life of the late Joseph Call,
of Lewis. in New York, was rife with
such incidents, and although it is for
eign to our purpose in the present ar
ticle to play the part of biographer to
his memory, yet we have thought an
idle hour would not be unproftably
spent in rescuing from oblivion few
dcsuitOry instances in which he dis
played the great and Incredible strength
with which he was gifted.
o. his early childhood we know but
little, except thai he was the leader and
champion of all the boys in his neigh
borhOod. One incident, however, has
been related to us which, although it
does not show our hero in a very favor
able light as schola:, displays that pc
cullar trait Ct humOr for which he was
so remarkable. 1t seems that upon a
certain occasion Joe had been guilty
of a breach of the rules of school, and
accordingly the worthy pedagogue
called him up to administer the requi-
site correction. Joe, indignant at the
idea of being publicly whipped. no
sooner made his appearance on the
floor. than Selling upon the astonished
Knight of the birch, as Uncle Toby did
upon the fly. he incontinently flung him
neck and heels out of the window, amid
the uproarious shouts of his companions.
As he grew older his natural joviality
of disposition led him to frequent whim-
steal displays of physical superiority
At one time, he would lift barrel of
cider to his lips, and haviog satisfied
bis own thirst from the bunghole.
would gravely offer to pass it around
to the company. At another, stealing
silently behind a Transfers wagon, he
would seize hold of the wheel, and sud-
denly bringing the team to a hall,
would quietly remark, "a breathing
spell to yO;lr nags, neighbor." At one
period Of his life, whe;t teamster him.
sem. he used frequently to find his i'm
mense strength of great service, for
whenever his team would happen to get
set in a mud-hole he would crawl under
his wagon, and placing his broad SEOUL
ders against the bottom, would raise
wagon. load an all, gradually up until
his horses were anle to dag it forth
without difficulty.
A celebrated wrestler from Albany,
hairy he..rd of Joe's reputation,
once made him visit for the express
purpose, as he declared. ''of giving
him touch of the fancy" Joe,
with his usual modestr. disclaimed
all knowledge of the exercise,
bar c.aon the stranger pressing
him. finally consented to take a nold.
ccoidingly they grapplcd, the stranger
throwing himself in the most scientific
position. whilst Joe, pretending utter
ignorance of all rule. assumed the most
careless and exposed attitude. They
had scarcely got Fair hold when the
stranger placing his foos on Joe's toe,
attempted with sudden jerk to throw
him by what is termed the toe lock-
But Joe, anticipating his movement,
quietly perm tied him to assume the
necessary position. and then, as he
stool for moment balancing on Joe's |
toe. gravely raised him into the air and
danced him about as a 11other would |
her child.
On one occasion. Joe. happening to
spend night AT st. johns. as he sat in
Z hn har IS hA I.
stopped, the conversation turned uoon
wrestling. Joe, being an entire strange
20 the company collected, sa. listening
to the conversation without particinat-
ing much ia it. At length one indi-
vidual, after relating several wonder
ful featS which lie had accomplished,
finally wound up by rount!ly asserting
that he had thrown Joe Call. Joe, as
might readily be supposed, was moi a |
little surprised at this assertion from
an entire stranger and, in that spirit of |
fun which always prompted him, ex-
claimed: why, you'd swallow COM
mon man! should like to take hold |
of yon myself, if you would promise
not to hurt me-" The braggadocio in
Stantly accepted the proposition. and |
they took hold. Joe. with scarcely an |
effort, raised him from the floor and. |
holding him out at arms length,
said to him: There. wrestler The |
astonished wrestler could only cry:
''Who-who the deuce are you?" The
man you threw. Joe Call, at your serv-
ice, sirr'
But the most remarkable feat which